Bridgerton star Luke Newton has landed his first lead role in a live-action film.
The actor, who plays Colin Bridgerton in the hit Netflix period drama, will appear alongside Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale in new sci-fi thriller White Mars (via Deadline).
Set in an isolated Aquila Research Facility, the film follows microbiologist Sammie (Hale) as she and her colleague Leo (Newton) fight to save their fellow crew members from a “malevolent entity whose sole intention is to extinguish them all”.
Production has begun at the Cinecittà Studios in Rome, where the film will be shot entirely in a virtual production environment.
Above the Below’s Martin Owen will direct from a script by Matt Mitchell, Vicki Sargent and Roo Berry. Producers include Matt Williams, Neil Jones, Steve Griffith and Steve Jelley.
“White Mars is an absolute psychological thrill ride, and I’m so excited to film this at the Cinecittà film stages in Rome,” said Hale in a statement.
“At the heart of this story is Sammie, a character I truly admire for her resilience and strength. I can’t wait to collaborate with Martin Owen, our incredible cast, and the entire team to bring this story to life.”Newton is also set to appear in upcoming Portuguese animation Viana the Legend of the Golden Hearts, which will premiere in July 2025.
The musical centres around Princess Ana (Road House star Daniela Melchior), who falls in love with poor artisan Thomas (Newton). However, her father immediately forbids their union, demanding that his daughter’s suitors produce a jewel as proof of their nobility.
Earlier this year, Newton’s fan-favourite character Colin Bridgerton was the talk of the Ton as his friends-to-lovers relationship with Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) took centre stage in Bridgerton’s third season.
Season four will focus on Benedict Bridgerton’s (Luke Thompson) love story, with Yerin Ha joining the cast as romantic interest Sophie Baek.
